Public Governors

What three words would people use to describe you?

Dedicated, Driven, Dependable

What does being a governor mean to you?

As someone whose family has had direct experience of the treatment and care provided by GOSH, I have long-awaited an opportunity to give back even more as I have been a member of the Foundation Trust for six years, and have this year become a Public Governor for London. This is more than a role to me, it is a long term goal to give back to the people who gave so much to my family, and I will always support GOSH.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

Overall, I am looking forward to getting acquainted with my fellow Governors, supporting the Board members, contributing to the committees, and driving change at GOSH. I am especially looking forward to working in the Membership Engagement, Recruitment and Representation Committee (MERRC) and observing the People and Education Assurance Committee (PEAC).

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

Firstly, I would like to increase membership and improve engagement at the Trust by inspiring patients, parents and carers to get involved in the Hospital. This can be by joining the Trust, the Young People's Forum (YPF) or the Council of Governors. I would love to inspire them to believe that they are enough, even when they feel that they haven't got the medical experience or feel overwhelmed.

Secondly, I would like to support the hospital to increase intersectional representation across the board and senior leadership, as data consistently proves that the more diverse a team is the higher they can perform, which in turn encourages more staff to be openly themselves and believe change is possible.

Hopefully my time as Governor can make the hospital a better place for patients, carers and staff alike.

What do you admire about GOSH?

As the sibling of a patient who received life-saving treatment at GOSH, I admire the hospital's courage, bravery, determination and commitment to pushing the limitations in medicine to provide life-changing and life-saving care to children with severe complex needs across Britain and the world.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I am a big techie, culture lover and avid gamer. In my spare time l love playing board games, card games and video games. I also love to upskill by watching tutorials online and reading. For my culture fix, I love theatre, films, poetry, cartoons, comics and anime.

People don't know that...

I am a former GB Athlete and Commonwealth Medallist (aka running in straight lines and semi circles) who has competed all around the world, including, Spain, Switzerland, Russia and across Britain. After a career ending injury, I became a Workshop Facilitator, Spoken Word Poet, Entrepreneur and now a Governor at GOSH. I hope my life experiences can be an inspiration to others and remind them that a setback can be a set-up for a better comeback.

What three words would people use to describe you?

Tenacious, Empathetic, Resilient.

What does being a governor mean to you?

It means an opportunity to help shape the present and future of medical care for our children and support for their families.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I am looking forward to working with fellow governors and the management team to see the views, voices and opinions of our members translate into actionable objectives at GOSH.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

I want to leave a ‘beyond numbers’ mindset. We ensure that the numbers are healthy financially but we look beyond the numbers to the impact of our decisions and actions on the beneficiaries of the services that GOSH provides. We look beyond patients as numbers. We look beyond staff as numbers. We look beyond the communities we serve as numbers.

What do you admire about GOSH?

I admire the dedication and commitment to innovative healthcare for children at GOSH.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy travelling, nature and the outdoors, scrabble, reading, cooking, singing and high-adrenaline activities like zip lining.

People don't know that...

I was part of a 4-girl dance group in high school.

What three words would people use to describe you?

Listens, caring, (has) integrity

What does being a governor mean to you?

Being a Governor is an honor, and to me means serving and contributing in any way possible to making the amazing GOSH Foundation Trust even better.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I look forward to getting involved and giving what I can to the role, meeting members and others involved with GOSH.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

If I could leave a lasting impact it would be to have contributed to the welcoming, helpful, safe, listening, reliable, always improving, 'ONE team' values that GOSH stands for.

What do you admire about GOSH?

I genuinely admire the dedication to provide excellent care to children and young people, the research, the facilities, and range of service provision. It is one amazing place. .

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time I love to be outside in my garden or in the nearby forest, I love to draw, play with my dog, play piano and sing, read, learn, connect with friends and family, joining community activities, trying new things, and to contribute to making this world a better place to live in.

People don't know that...

I love to climb trees (even though I haven’t for a little while). It is such a great feeling to sit up in a tree. My son and I used to climb an old oak tree hanging over a lake and up there we would talk and share all sorts of things. It was fantastic.

What three words would people use to describe you?

Committed, Determined, Approachable

What does being a governor mean to you?

Being a governor is an opportunity for me to give back to the hospital. As a former patient I experienced first-hand the care and support of this very special community; and so now having the chance to be able to serve it in every way I can as a governor, is an honour.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I am looking forward to working with the Council of Governors, continuing the work of ensuring that the patients and families receive the world leading care that has always been provided by committed staff. That the wider GOSH community, including Trust Members all feel valued contributors to this fantastic Hospital. Becoming a governor at this time, as the hospital has embarked on its Above & Beyond strategy is very exciting indeed. As we continue to work through the pandemic and post-pandemic there will be much work to be done. I look forward immensely to being a part of this.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

Ensuring that Trust Members feel involved in all aspects, to support the phenomenal work that the hospital does and looking towards the future; helping to advance the care that patients receive. I would like every member of the GOSH community to feel that they are contributing and a valued member of this family.

What do you admire about GOSH?

I admire the care, the spirit, the compassion, the resilience, the strength. As a patient at GOSH as a child, this time was special to me and certainly helped to shape the person I am and the values I hold. GOSH creates a spirit of togetherness and optimism even under the most challenging of circumstances. It’s staff and supporters do so much to create positivity for patients and their families, and it does this in a very unique way. I am proud to have been a patient at GOSH, I am proud to be a Trust Member and now I am so proud to serve as a governor.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, particularly my young twins who keep me very busy, running, cycling, reading and drawing (always the Art Teacher!).

People don't know that...

I am struggling with this more than I feel I should...now this may well be more interesting to some than others but here goes; I know all of the words to all 3 original Star Wars films as I am a huge Star Wars fan! (you can test me!)

What three words would people use to describe you?

My family and friends would describe me as ambitious, committed and generous.

What does being a governor mean to you?

I cannot express how much it means to me to be able to give back to a place which is so close to my heart. The outstanding care that GOSH has provided to my brother has saved his life and given my family and I hope. It is a privilege for me to be able to contribute to the success of GOSH.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

I am looking forward to contributing to the hospital, meanwhile, continuously developing myself in order to best represent my constituency.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

As a young person and a sibling of a patient, I feel passionately about ensuring that everyone is empowered to find their voice and share their story. I would like to take this opportunity to ensure that everyone is listened to and considered at every level in the hospital, from decision making to everyday work. I hope to improve the integration of different parties within the care circle, ensuring that the hospital services work closely together and that the teams collaborate with schools and local communities to maximise support.

What do you admire about GOSH?

The dedication of the staff at GOSH is admirable. I have witnessed the hospital continuously striving to improve, through innovation and pioneering new approaches.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I spend my spare time studying, working as the Chair of the Young People’s Forum at GOSH and training at the gym.

People don't know that...

I am an aspiring doctor.

What 3 words would describe you?

Genuine - what you see is what you get! Punctual – I hate being late to anything! Reliable – I can be trusted if said yes to anything!

What does being a GOSH Governor mean to you?

Being a Governor is a means of me saying thank you to GOSH for the excellent training I received years ago which gave me my life as a nurse.

What are you looking forward to in your role as a governor?

An opportunity to share insights I’ve learnt in the different clinical areas I’ve worked in. Hoping that in time I can influence changes for long-term patients.

What lasting impact would you like to leave as a governor?

I hope I leave behind a good example of a governor involved and willing to share the good work of GOSH.

What do you admire about GOSH?

The reputation that the hospital has in the wider community

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading, spending time with the family, spoiling grandchildren and more recently dog walking.